JUL 09 -- (Anchorage, AK)– DEA Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Arnold R. Moorin and the United States Attorney for the District of Alaska, Nelson P. Cohen, announced today that six members of a marijuana and mdma drug ring were indicted on drug conspiracy charges. The indictment alleges that from 2000 to 2007, the group was responsible for importing, growing and distributing at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, and also importing the club drug “ecstasy” from Canada as well as growing over 1,000 marijuana plants in Alaska. The maximum penalties faced are a minimum of 10 years imprisonment.

The indictment alleges that the group arranged for the shipment of approximately 100 pounds of “BC Bud” from Canada every two to six weeks, primarily concealed in secret compartments in fuel tanks mounted on the beds of pickup trucks. Additionally, the group utilized the secret compartments to send cash payments for the marijuana to Canada. Wallie Scott Vierra is accused of depositing over $200,000 of checks and investing drug proceeds in the development of an Anchorage restaurant and bar “Platinum Jaxx”. Vierra is currently facing similar marijuana conspiracy and money laundering charges in a separate indictment for his alleged role in the Thomas Ranes, ‘Ranes and Shine’ marijuana investigation.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alaska State Troopers Major Offender’s Unit, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.